Andy Payne appointed as new ELSPA chairman

Mastertronic boss Andy Payne has been appointed as the new chairman of ELSPA, the UK's videogame publisher trade body, with Nintendo's David Yarnton being brought in as vice-chairman.

Industry veteran Payne, who also heads up publisher Just Flight, will be replacing outgoing chairman Scott Dodkins - who was recently appointed as European managing director of Eidos by its new owners at SCi Entertainment Group.

In other board reshuffles at ELSPA, Mike Hayes of Sega and Serhad Koro of Take Two will both also be joining the board, along with returning members Kevin Jowatt (SCE), Adam Roberts (VU Games), Paul Jackson (EA) and Rob Cooper (Ubisoft).

"Scott has been an enthusiastic and dedicated chairman for the past two years," according to ELSPA director general Roger Bennett. "He has helped considerably in seeing ELSPA through a period of change and media furore and we wish to extend our thanks for his invaluable contribution. Andy will, we believe, continue this excellent work and help to lead ELSPA forward into a new era."